I have played catch with Thor.*
We had a Marvelous time, even though throwing while dressed for battle on a chilly January day was somewhat challenging.
I mean no offense whatsoever to Thor or Norse mythology with this audacious proposal.
Thursday – Thor’s day – has had a good run of 14 or 15 centuries or so, but it’s time for a change. It’s time to re-name Thursday. I would like to ask the hammer-wielding god of thunder and storms to trade Mjölnir for a glove and ball.
Henceforth, I will be referring to Thursday by its new name – Throwsday.
To honor and celebrate Throwsday, people from John Scukanec’s Washougal, Washington to Kevin Negaard’s Sioux City, Iowa to John David Mangrum’s Boston, Massachusetts – everybody, everywhere!! – are challenged to take 15 minutes of their day and play catch.
Now, I’m a traditionalist. I want people to use gloves and a baseball or softball to play catch. But a football works, too. As does a Frisbee or Kore Baseball or Yardball or a wadded-up piece of paper. I wouldn’t recommend rocks or an actual hammer.
Once a week – every Throwsday – go outside for 15 minutes and play catch. Get creative.
Invite a co-worker and talk about anything but work.
Take your 4th grade class and write “proprioceptive practice, interceptive timing, mental health management, and relational development” as your lesson plan.
Set up a table on campus with a sign that reads “Celebrate Throwsday – Wanna Play Catch?” and offer snacks and refreshments to anyone who plays.
Playing catch is a face-to-face, real-time activity that develops trust, teaches empathy, encourages curiosity, and opens lines of communication.
A simple game of catch becomes an opportunity to build real, meaningful community. Community is created through small, intentional interactions. Individuals become a we by showing up, doing things together, and listening to one another.
In short, playing catch reminds us what it means to be human.
Now, here’s the catch.
I so love puns. Thor also loves puns.
Throwsday has nothing to do with playing catch or throwing a ball.
The US Chamber of Connection puts it bluntly, “We are losing our humanity.”
Throwsday is an attempt to put something on the calendar to remind us that an important part of being human is playing with other humans. Play is not measured in numbers and dollars and test scores, but in laughs and high fives and meaningful memories.
Play is essential to our well-being.
Sometimes, introducing something new to the culture, no matter how whimsical or ludicrous, is exactly what is needed to create positive change. And I have it on good word that Thor would approve of this message.**
Throwsday is coming.
How will you celebrate this week?
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*Springfield’s Thor. He’s amazing and has a fantastic sense of humor.
**Again, Springfield’s Thor.
